Getting an occupational disease recognised
An occupational disease is illness arising from the work itself, not a single accident. Recognition takes longer than for accidents, but it is still an industrial accident.
What counts
- Musculoskeletal disorders — back, shoulder, wrist, knee, from repetitive work, heavy lifting, long standing
- Noise-induced hearing loss — from long periods in a loud workplace
- Respiratory disease — dust, welding fumes, chemicals
- Skin disease — chemical contact
- Cerebrovascular and heart disease — overwork, long hours, night shifts
- Mental illness — workplace bullying, stress after witnessing an accident
- Poisoning — solvents, heavy metals
Steps
- Get a diagnosis. An occupational and environmental medicine department is better still.
- Explain the link to your work — what tasks, for how long.
- Gather evidence of the work environment — site photos, names of substances used, hours records.
- File with the Workers' Compensation service, 1588-0075.
- Go through the work-relatedness investigation. It takes time.
- You can appeal if refused.
What you need
- Medical certificate and treatment records
- Evidence of your period and type of work
- Information on chemicals and machinery used (photos)
- Working hours records
- Colleagues' statements
Where to go
- 1588-0075 Workers' Compensation service · www.comwel.or.kr
- 1544-3088 KOSHA · www.kosha.or.kr
- A hospital occupational and environmental medicine department
- Your local support centre for foreign workers
- 132 Korea Legal Aid Corporation
Questions people ask
The illness appeared after I left the job. You can still file. What matters is what work you did at that company.
I have no evidence. Colleagues' statements, workplace photos and safety data sheets (MSDS) all count. The service also investigates.
They say my back pain is just age. Showing the tasks and duration can establish the work connection. Don't give up — file.
How long does it take? Longer than for accidents. Keep checking on progress even after months.
Take care
Photograph the names of the chemicals you use, today. Once you leave the company you cannot check. Photos of container labels and the MSDS help enormously.
Related
industrial-accident-basics · industrial-accident-report · protective-equipment · safety-training
Source
Workers' Compensation service www.comwel.or.kr / KOSHA www.kosha.or.kr / As of 2026-08